Celebrating.....

It's the 4th of July......celebrations taking place all over America. I must admit I have a few "mixed feelings" about this particular holiday this particular year.  I was curious so I googled the history of the holiday and the information I found was pretty much what I learned in my history classes way back in grade school....

The Fourth of July – also known as Independence Day or July 4th – has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

So this holiday celebrates American colonists gaining their independence from English rule.... standing up to a tyrant and saying "No more!".....but this holiday doesn't celebrate independence for everyone.

And, for me, this year has been one of continued and every increasing frustration about some of what is happening here in my America. The anger, the division, the "uncivility" on display between strangers, friends, family. While there is much to celebrate and be proud of here in the United States, there is also much to cause concern.

The Statue of Liberty raises her torch......but her torch is tarnished. The words to some of our American anthems ring hollow to me.

We have our American flag hanging from our balcony, as we do each year, but this year we display it to state that yes....we are proud Americans, but no....we do not support much of what is currently American.

It's sort of a half-celebration this year......